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It's harvest time - slow down

You may want to add some extra time to your travel plans getting around Chatham-Kent these days.

Large farm vehicles are hitting area roadways with the harvest season now upon us.

The tomato harvest has begun and that means long trailer loads of ripened fruit often travelling below posted speed limits.

The OPP is urging motorists to use caution and reduce speed when travelling near any farm vehicle or equipment.

"Farm equipment such as tractors, combines and the trailers they tow are very large and require significant room to safely manoeuvre on the roadway," Sgt. David Rektor, Western OPP communications officer said in a news release.

The OPP offers several tips, if you're planning to drive on rural roadways.

• Anticipate there may be farm equipment in use and travel at reduced speeds where crops are being harvested.

• Slow down for large farm equipment on the roadway and be patient, passing only when it's safe to do so.

• Leave extra space when following farm equipment as the driver may not be able to see you.

• Be aware that honking your horn is likely to fall on deaf ears as tractors produce even greater noise.

The OPP responds to incidents every year where farm vehicles are hit by impatient or inattentive drivers, Rektor said.

Often these collisions cause personal injury and or death, he added.

It's best to adopt the rule to "share" the road during the busy harvest season, which extends several weeks into the fall.